Not Your Mother’s Black Box

Special Event

Authors/Playwrights: Various


Directed by:

Opening Date: 08/24/2013
Closing Date: 08/24/2013

Performance Times:

One Night Only!
Saturday August 24th, 2013 - 8:00pm
Come early for wine and cheese before the show!


Ticket Prices:

All seats - $15 Adult/Senior/Student
No Group Rates or Discounts are available

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Show Description:

Join us for a night of comedy and music at The Villagers Theater. Stand-up comedy performances by various artists. Warning – this is Not Your [family friendly] Mother’s Black Box show!

Audition Info:
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Valerie DiMambro, Ryan Houssein, and Ty Raney highlight the evening. An acoustic musical performance by Uncle Funk (Mike Holsworth and Steve Kupp, feat. Joe Stahley) will cap off the show. Your host and MC for the evening is Dan Bocchino.


Dan Bocchino

Dan has been performing stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy in various forms for over 10 years. What began as a 5 minute open mic spot in the back room of a small bar in Bloomfield, NJ has blossomed into 10 minute spots in clubs just outside of Bloomfield, NJ.

​He has performed at clubs across NJ, NYC, and Boston.

In addition to his solo stand-up work, Dan was a founding member of the Boston, MA sketch comedy troupe Slow Children at Play and a former member of the Montclair, NJ improv group Lunatic Fringe.

He is also an avid playwright, having written and produced one-act shows at festivals in both New York City and New Jersey. Dan currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, son, and middle-aged Shih Tzu.


Valerie DiMambro

Gastronome, infrequent somnambulist, and cat whisperer.  3 things Valerie is known to dislike: kitsch, big words, and irony.  You can often find her jetting about Philly in her unremarkable, mid-sized sedan.  She has been seen on stage at Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, and Philly’s own Johnny Brenda’s! In Philadelphia, Valerie co-hosts the monthly show, The Sunday Funnies, with the very funny Dugan McShain and Carolyn Redmond.  She certainly is the one VD you’ll want to catch while in town!


Ryan Houssein

Ryan Houssein has been performing stand up comedy all over New Jersey and New York City since 2009. He is a regular at Broadway Comedy Club and, in 2012, advanced to the semi-finals of the New Guns of Comedy Competition at Greenwich Village Comedy Club. Ryan also works at nysocialstatus.com as the comedy and current events writer.


Ty Raney

Ty grew up as an only child in the small town of Montclair, NJ, not far from the comedy mecca of New York City. Being an 80’s child, Ty’s biggest comedy influence was Eddie Murphy. As a teen, he would stay up late watching comedy specials and movies, just cracking up and admiring the courage and talent of all these comedians. Ty always wondered if that could be him.

Ty made his official public comedy debut at Carolines on Broadway in New York City. His wife Tennille is the person that really supported, encouraged, and initiated the push toward his comedy career. Ever since that first show, Ty has been setting ablaze through New York and New Jersey. Touching the stage so many times over the years has given Ty great presence and a style that stands out on its own.


Uncle Funk (Mikey Holsworth – guitar/MC and Steve Kupp – guitar/drums/vocals, feat. Joe Stahley)

Steve and Mikey came together years ago to meld their musical interests and talents to form Uncle Funk. Based out of New Jersey, Uncle Funk has played shows throughout NJ and NYC. Their unique mix of funk, hip-hop, and reggae is sure to please audiences of all shapes and sizes.

Uncle Funk’s ability to bridge the gap between rap, rock, funk, and reggae raises the bar for other bands. They have proven themselves time and again in front of audiences looking to dance, rock, or protest. Lyrically tinged with elements of both politics and partying, Uncle Funk is a rising star in the NJ/NYC music scene.